Statements by top U.S. officials signify importance U.S. attaches to Pakistan: Foreign Minister Kasuri

WASHINGTON, May 21 (APP)- Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has welcomed the statement by Secretary Colin Powell that Pakistan and India were acknowledged nuclear powers, and that the designation of Pakistan as Major Non-NATO Ally state was now rapidly advancing through administrative and legislative process.

He also referred to the "significant observation" by National Security Adviser Dr. Condoleezza Rice that the United States wants a longterm relationship with Pakistan, beyond Iraq and Afghanistan.

Addressing the Pakistani-American community at the auditorium of the Pakistan Embassy, Mr. Kasuri said these observations from top officials of the U.S. Administration "signify that the United States attaches a lot importance to its relationship with Pakistan."

The Foreign Minister also referred to the statement made by Secretaryof State Colin Powell in Islamabad during his last visit that the United States intended having longterm strategic relationship with Pakistan.

And the specific mention by Dr. Rice that U.S. wants longterm relationship with Pakistan, beyond Iraq and Afghanistan, is a sign of strength, and a befitting response for those who were critical of the policies of the Government based on the thesis that Pakistan's importance was going to diminish once the U.S. objectives were served.

He said Pakistan-U.S. relations had seen ups and down over the past, but these were growing from strength to strength, attaining a level of comprehensive multi-year and multi-faceted relationship.

In respect of the ongoing cooperation in the global war on terror, Foreign Minister Kasuri said, it was based on commonality of interests ofthe two countries.

At times, we do have variance in viewpoint, and we boldly express such a difference of opinion, and conduct our policies accordingly, in the best interest of Pakistan.

He said Dr. Condoleezza Rice was appreciative of Pakistan's achievements in the field of foreign affairs and economy, which were based on dynamism and prudence, and served Pakistan's national interests the best.